Japanese word

黄色

Pronunciation

Romajikiiro

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveyellow

Example

信号が黄色です。shin gō ga ki iro de su

The traffic light is yellow.

Illustration for 黄色 (yellow)

More examples

部屋の壁を黄色に塗ります。heya no kabe o ki iro ni nu ri ma su

I will paint the walls of the room yellow.

Core concept

Describes the bright color seen between green and orange, often associated with sunlight and ripe lemons.

Common phrases

  • 黄色の信号ki iro no shin gō

    yellow traffic light

  • 黄色になるki iro ni na ru

    turn yellow

Similar words

金色kiniro: A yellow color with a shiny, metallic appearance.
クリーム色kurīmuiro: A very pale yellow with a soft, creamy appearance.

Definition in Japanese

光や物の表面が、赤と緑の間に見える色をしている。hikari ya mono no hyō men ga aka to midori no aida ni mi e ru iro o shi te i ru

Word origin

The compound 黄色 (kiiro) combines 黄 (ki, "yellow") and 色 (iro, "color").

Usage tips

  • In British English, a traffic signal's yellow light is commonly called amber, while American English usually calls it yellow.

Other meanings

  • ambernoun

Related words

Word lists with this word